Viola cuneata
Encyclopedia
Viola cuneata is a species of violet known by the common name wedgeleaf violet. It is native to southwestern Oregon
and northwestern California
, where it occurs in the forests of the coastal mountain ranges, often on serpentine soil
s. This rhizomatous
herb produces a hairless stem reaching a maximum height of a few centimeters to around 25 centimeters. The basal leaves have purple-veined green oval, rounded, or wedge-shaped blades borne on long petioles
. Leaves higher on the stem are smaller. A solitary flower is borne on a very slender upright stem. It has five white petals with yellowish bases, the lateral two and usually upper two with purple spots. Their outer surfaces may be deep purple to red, and the lowest three are generally marked with purple veining.
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
and northwestern California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, where it occurs in the forests of the coastal mountain ranges, often on serpentine soil
Serpentine soil
A serpentine soil is derived from ultramafic rocks, in particular serpentinite, a rock formed by the hydration and metamorphic transformation of ultramafic rock from the Earth's mantle....
s. This rhizomatous
Rhizome
In botany and dendrology, a rhizome is a characteristically horizontal stem of a plant that is usually found underground, often sending out roots and shoots from its nodes...
herb produces a hairless stem reaching a maximum height of a few centimeters to around 25 centimeters. The basal leaves have purple-veined green oval, rounded, or wedge-shaped blades borne on long petioles
Petiole (botany)
In botany, the petiole is the stalk attaching the leaf blade to the stem. The petiole usually has the same internal structure as the stem. Outgrowths appearing on each side of the petiole are called stipules. Leaves lacking a petiole are called sessile, or clasping when they partly surround the...
. Leaves higher on the stem are smaller. A solitary flower is borne on a very slender upright stem. It has five white petals with yellowish bases, the lateral two and usually upper two with purple spots. Their outer surfaces may be deep purple to red, and the lowest three are generally marked with purple veining.